THE NITRATE KING'S PALACE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1964, 2 November 1889, Page 3

THE NITRATE KING'S PALACE.

The London World describes Colonel North’s Italian palace, which is rising rapidly on the wooded slope commanding- -a superb view .of the Chiselhurst Talley. Three months kence the splendours of Avery Hill will-probably cause almost as much sensation as Ponthill Abbey did in the days of our forefathers. The picture gallery is 100 ft long by 50ft broad, - At one end is a lefty vestibule to he filled with sculpture, and at the other a musicians’ gallery of marble, supported by columns of Mexican nnyx. The walls are nearly 40ft high. Mr Thomas Cutler, the architect, has devised an entirely novel system of lighting,. and, in addition ‘ to the famous Italian pictures which are now in Manchester, Colonel North has recently purchased the “Last of the Buffaloes” and the “Silver King” (two paintings of enormous size), as well as Mr Frederick Goodall’s “ Misery and Mercy.” He has also commissioned Mr Sturgis to paint him “Jem Selby’s Drive to Brighton” and “ Bacehorses Exercising.” The course ef the high road from London to Bexley has been changed to improve the approach. The strong room alone has cost £2ooo,,the dining hall (outside which runs a vaulted verandah 50ft long) will be panelled with

finely-carved Spanish mahogany. A broad corridor .paved with Pompeiian mosaiac runs through the house, and the billiard room is to be decorated from floor to, ceiling with slabs of “Nuinidian yellow,” “pink pavon--4a#,-” and verde Antique. A garden court which lights the library is lined with old golcUcoJored. faience, and the best loems in .Prance are busily engaged m .producing the thousands of yards of, crimson.. silk velvet require|ifor the adornment of the balliroomr' A winter garden, exactly 100 ft square, leads to a fernery almost half as. large/ The lofty towers are now almost finished, andthe entrance porch is built of Portland stone, relieved by panels of carved and gauged brickwork.